THE FUTURE.

      ❦ ❝ … Feelings are quite strange, aren’t they? You can grow to care for someone you initially hated… And that in and of itself is quite miraculous, ❞

❛ One’s feelings are readily influenced so easily. It’s as much fascinating as it is frustrating.

     Ah, so she has no experience with ghosts and the like… Well, all the better, Terra thinks. They’re not terribly fun to encounter and even less to fight with.

     ❝ Oh, it’s not like that anymore… Apparently now children just dress up and ask for candy. It seems… Really nice, ❞

❛ I see. How interesting that the meaning has changed over the years. ❜

     Her brows straighten as her expression becomes more polite, and she offers her companion a small smile. As much as she won’t admit it, it does sound rather... cute. And fun.

     ❝ I never have, either… ❞ though granted, she hadn’t heard of many things, even well into her later years.

     ❝ But… Someone just explained to me that it’s related to an old holiday… Where people wore costumes to ward off spirits, ❞ or something to that effect.

❛ Spirits? I didn’t think they’d actually be ... real. 

      ❝ … I don’t really understand the importantance of this… ‘Halloween’ but I… Think if it’s meant for children to have fun, then it’s a good thing, ❞

❛ I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of such of a thing, even as a child.

             ❝   There is something soothing about the rain… But it brings such a morose feeling, too — something almost like nostalgia. I wonder why that is… ?   ❞

❛ It does have a rather melancholy feeling to it, but I can’t deny how comforting the sound is as well.

The atmosphere seems incredibly tense.

Not just because of the suffocating air around them, but simply because Edelgard herself seemed to be even more tensed than he was. It was odd seeing her like this, only because she had always painted herself as this unafraid, cold Emperor who wasn’t even bothered when her companions sacrificed themselves for her cause ( though, claude knew that such a thing wasn’t the case; edelgard cared, but if people knew that then they’d use that against her ).

But that was neither here nor there. At her question, Claude hummed a little in thought, thinking over his answer before finally speaking.His poker face was perfect, as always.

     “There was no real thought process with this one, honestly.      Just chose one at random to see what it was all about. I’m      always drawn to a little bit of danger, and I think you are too.”

     “Though, maybe I regret choosing this one just a little bit      now… This island is pretty eerie, isn’t it? I’m not that big      of a fan of it.”

     As much as she’d like to keep the cool and calm facade around others, it ultimately doesn’t pan out too well when Edelgard’s faced with something genuinely and wholeheartedly terrifying. Everything about the building, the island, and the atmosphere felt off.. but she couldn’t let that stop her. At least, not when Claude was around. Letting the schemer know her secrets, her weaknesses was the last thing she was planning to do on the island today.

     Or ever.

❛ Perhaps I am. I’ve always been drawn to things that fascinated me or seemed vaguely out of reach. In that regard, it seems like we’re more alike than once thought. ❜  

     Her gaze flickered over to his for a second, before quickly returning to the iron door that was approaching with every step.

❝Well, yeah. By “people here” I mean anyone currently living here, be it they originate from here or not. Anyway, I, err, have to thank you? For being not as formal with me? Being labeled as “Your Excellency” is a kinda new thing for me. I’ve only been a prince for a short time.❞

❛ I had no idea you were royalty.

     “That’s good! I’d hate to have to poison you, you know. I do      like you, despite everything that’s happened.”

Was that a jest, or an actual serious threat? It was hard to tell with Claude’s tone of voice, being all light and bouncy as always. But he knew that Edelgard had no interest in having his head, not when - compared to him at the moment - she was at a disadvantage. Right now, they were more or less on the same side.

     “Time works strangely here. It may have been a few moons      for you, but for me it’s almost been a year since I last seen      you. But not, this is nowhere near Fodlan. Probably not even      in the same universe if I’m being perfectly honest.

     Poison her? If she didn’t know any better, known him any better, she might’ve perceived it as an outright threat. If anything, it seemed more like a warning to her – and perhaps not the best way to greet an old friend. If they were friends, after all. Maybe it would be worth investing some thought into the aforementioned plans.

❛ It’d be interesting to see you try to poison me. Still, I am rather surprised you hold me in such a favorable way despite it all. ❜

     Though the explanation may be hard to believe Edelgard listens intently to what Claude has to say, resting her head on her hand while she contemplates. 

     ✻ While not as visibly annoyed as the other, the perfumer does feel a twinge of vexation. Not at the woman, of course, but rather, at the situation as a whole. The fact that she already cares little for getting dirty and the like had been bad enough… But it seems that Edelgard also lacks survival skills and thus, Vera can’t help but wonder how in the world the two of them are going to get through this.

     ❝ I… Suppose it would be better than nothing, ❞

     ❝ At the very least… If we can’t make something sustainable, we can try and use the foliage from the trees as cover… ❞

     It would be best to not dwell too long on their inability to build an adequate shelter. Though they still had a mountain of other tasks to do, it was important to get started on a structure that would be able to not only provide shelter, but withstand other possible problems. Truly, maybe they picked the hardest task to begin with. 

     Edelgard viewed this much as she did her other problems: the only way to move was forward. The shelter wasn’t going to build itself if they waited, wallowing over their problems.

❛ Using the leaves as cover? Now that’s a thought. Perhaps we should start on the foundation first? Or at least pick a suitable place to build upon. ❜

while she might not be accustomed to such activity, jakurai had certainly used to some akin to it. physical fitness had long since been a necessity, for one reason or another, in his past thus he takes the walk in his stride and only slows down so as not to rush ahead and leave her behind. his mannerisms remain polite, regardless of the wheres and whys.

“ not as much as i would perhaps like, but a study of nutrition could be considered relevant to my studies, i work as a physician in the city usually. when i’m not roaming the wilds of an unknown island, of course. “ he chuckles, lifting a large hanging rope of vines up ahead for the lady to step under unscathed. 

the lush vegetation is not exactly dangerous, but with her smaller stature, jakurai does his best to remove any hanging thorns and nettles which might seek to tangle within their hair. 

     It’s not to say that Edelgard is out of shape. Ever diligent, she keeps up with her training and ensures that she practices enough in her free time. Agility and mobility were never an obstacle for her – both consequences from being in wartime. Her pace easily matches his as they both begin on their journey, a lifetime with Hubert left her quite accustomed to people changing their speed to match her own.

❛ A physician I see. That’s not an easy path to tread.. Is it one that you chose to take yourself? ❜

            “Guess it’s not so bad, taking a break every now and then.” Divested of her armor, the Elezen’s presence seemed less intimidating now. Elezen were known for their slenderness, but Lycelle’s height would make her appear more akin to a twig. Still, one would see her a warrior should they look hard enough - muscles toned from battle, runes and ancient spells inscribed upon her arms and back.

            She traced upon the sand idly. A veteran traveler, she knew full well about surviving in the wilderness. And yet she found herself at a loss on what to do, with provisions gathered and a shelter already constructed.

            “So. Do you fancy seafood, by any chance?”

@crestsfallen​ / a starter for shore!

❛ Quite. I can’t remember the last time I took some time away. ❜

     With most of the priorities out of the way – finding food, finding shelter, finding things that would ensure everyone’s survival – the only job left was to ... rest. A foreign concept to her, honestly. As much as she dreamed and longed for free time, now that she’d secured some, she wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. It was just the slightest bit vexing.

     Trading her usual dress for some shorts and much looser top, Edelgard found herself enjoying the feeling of stretching out on the warm sand. She only hoped that her companion was enjoying the same level of leisure.

     Depravity had a way of rooting itself where the distinction between classes was nearly tangible. The scornful looks and unmasked disgust gained simply by not being like the others, whether he was loathe to admit it or not, reminded him of the Holy See. A shame he could not stand atop those towers that looked as if they could touch the sky – he would have been able to observe the ward’s layout much better than from down below.

     For a dragoon to be forced into a low vantage point, it was almost insulting.

     As he thought this with a bit of a sour expression, a youth took his divided attention as a cue to dart out from the shadows. The boy must have hoped for something of value by waving a weapon and issuing threats – yet it took Estinien all but a couple of seconds to disarm him and look down with blatant disapproval. Perhaps, in the eyes of some, it might have even seemed a little condescending, as were his words: “Recklessness will end your life than a shortage of coin.” He picked up the folding knife that had clattered to the ground, retracting the blade and returning it to the youth. “Your hands are unsteady. This is no weapon for you, boy.”

     – … how quick the young man was to turn tail and run, not so much as uttering a word in response to the Elezen. 

@crestsfallen​

     Of all the sectors, Edelgard was quick to note that Fibonacci was the one that made her the most uncomfortable, and as such, she would spend an abundance of time there. Observing, watching. Remembering the stories and times of her youth where such pervasive darkness ruined the lives of many. The layers of inequality, of corruption reminded her too of her home. Or what it used to be. 

     It was a shame. A shame that the children here suffered as much as they have now, how much they’ve suffered in the past. As much as she’d like to intervene – and her mind was screaming at her to do so – Edelgard was powerless to enact any lasting change.

     And yet, she still couldn’t help herself from visiting.

     Though she wasn’t necessarily one to hide in the shadows, she couldn’t deny the sort of comfort it gave her. It was how she was able to approach from afar, watching as the man instead sent the child on their way. Maybe today she’d stumbled on something different.